Where curiosity turns into confidence, discipline becomes artistry, and learning leads to a lifelong journey.
From the first tentative lesson to the concert stage, Helicon is where artistry, discipline, and joy unite.
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Music shapes who we become.
Our Mission
At Helicon Music Academy, our mission is to inspire a lifelong love for music through exceptional classical music education that nurtures both artistic excellence and personal growth.
We believe that studying music is about far more than learning an instrument. Through thoughtful instruction, disciplined practice, creative expression, and meaningful performance experiences, we help students develop confidence, perseverance, focus, responsibility, and a deep appreciation for beauty and culture.
Our goal is to cultivate not only accomplished musicians, but well-rounded individuals who carry the values learned through music into every aspect of their lives. By fostering curiosity, excellence, and a supportive community, Helicon Music Academy empowers students of all ages to reach their highest potential and enrich the world through the transformative power of music.
Our Vision
Helicon Music Academy envisions a future where every student discovers the transformative power of music and develops the knowledge, character, and confidence to thrive throughout life.
We aspire to become a premier center for classical music education, recognized for artistic excellence, inspiring teaching, and a culture that nurtures curiosity, discipline, creativity, and integrity. Through exceptional instruction and meaningful musical experiences, we seek to cultivate generations of lifelong musicians, thoughtful leaders, and engaged citizens who enrich their communities through the universal language of music.
As our academy grows, we envision a vibrant musical community where students, families, and educators learn, perform, and inspire one another, preserving the rich traditions of classical music while preparing students to shape the future with imagination, compassion, and excellence.
In Greek mythology, Mount Helicon was the home of the nine Muses, the goddesses who inspired people in art, music and poetry.
That is why we took the name. We want our academy to be a place where children find the same inspiration.
Our role is to recognize it, nurture it, and give it the direction to flourish.
01 · One-on-One
Personalized one-on-one instruction for students of all levels. Each lesson is thoughtfully tailored to the student's abilities, goals, and pace of development—building strong technique, musical understanding, confidence, and artistry from the very beginning.
02 · Suzuki Method
Every child begins with the ability to learn. The Suzuki approach nurtures that ability by following the natural way children learn their first language—through listening, imitation, repetition, and encouragement.
Before a child learns to read music, they first learn to hear it, recognize it, and express it. Through regular listening and thoughtful guidance, their musical vocabulary grows. Parents and caregivers become partners in this journey, creating support and consistency beyond the lesson.
03 · Group Study
Small-group instruction for beginners ages 6 and up. Learn alongside peers in a warm, collaborative studio setting.
When students make music together, they learn more than music. They learn to listen, cooperate, communicate, take responsibility, and contribute. Group classes turn musical study into a shared experience—building both musicianship and the skills needed to grow together.
Every enrollment begins with a conversation — so we can match each student with the right program, teacher, and pace.
Private Piano
Personalized weekly lessons
Personalized instruction tailored to the student's level, goals, and pace.
Suzuki Piano
Weekly lesson + parent partnership
Suzuki-method study for young beginners, guided by listening, imitation, and family involvement.
Group Piano
Small-group beginner classes
Times
10:00 · 10:45 · 11:30 · 12:30 · 1:15 PM
Learn to listen, play, and grow together.
Academic Calendar
Our academic year runs in three quarters, with a summer session announced later.
Fall
DatesSep 15 – Dec 20
ClosedNov 23–29
Lessons12
Winter
DatesJan 4 – Mar 21
ClosedDec 21 – Jan 3
Lessons11
Spring
DatesMar 29 – Jun 13
ClosedMar 22–28
Lessons11
Summer
DatesTBD
ClosedTBD
LessonsTBD
How to Enroll
Inquire
Share a little about the student, goals, and program interest.
Match & Schedule
Choose the program and lesson time that fit the student's life.
Begin
Enroll and start weekly lessons at the Helicon Music Academy.
Cultivating human potential through music.
Darina Tatarishvili is a Chicago-based pianist, collaborative musician, and educator originally from Tbilisi, Georgia. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire in 2017 on a full scholarship, where she also pursued organ studies and worked alongside distinguished European musicians including Rudolf Lutz and Sergej Tcherepanov.
After further studies in choral conducting in Tbilisi, Darina moved to Chicago in 2020 to complete her Master's degree in Piano Performance at DePaul University School of Music under acclaimed pianist George Vatchnadze. She actively collaborates with opera singers and instrumentalists across Chicago.
Darina teaches piano at DePaul's Community Division and is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA), as well as being listed in the Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory.
For Darina, teaching music is about more than learning to play — it is about shaping who a student becomes. She begins with the belief that every child carries a musical potential entirely their own, and her work is to uncover it, nurture it, and guide it toward expression. Each lesson is built around the student in front of her: strong fundamentals and disciplined technique, always joined to musicality, imagination, and the joy of making sound come alive. What she hopes to leave with every student is not simply the ability to play, but the qualities that music cultivates in all of us — patience, focus, courage, sensitivity, and a lifelong love for beauty and learning.
Darina Tatarishvili
Founder & Artistic Director
"Darina is an excellent music teacher; dedicated, thorough and extremely professional. My daughter's piano skills have grown immensely under her instruction. She is passionate about teaching and approaches it with care, composure and precision."
"We've had a wonderful experience with Darina and have seen so much growth in our 2 daughters' confidence and musical ability. She balances the technical side of piano and music theory with teaching musicality and expression. We would absolutely recommend Helicon Music Academy to other families!"
"In only one year, our son has been able to learn so many new techniques. He went from not knowing how to play piano at all to being able to be proud of his performance in front of friends and in concerts. We are so thankful to have found Darina, whose way of teaching children is the best we could have ever wanted. Our 5 year old has found in Darina the perfect teacher, with just the right manners to encourage him to practice both in class and at home, and the patience needed for a little boy to thrive. We would highly recommend Helicon Music Academy to any family looking into initiating their children's piano formation, and would encourage children in the early stages to join this school!"
"We've had a wonderful experience with Darina's lessons. She is responsible, dedicated, and takes teaching seriously while also being very patient and understanding with children. Since beginning lessons, our child has started to take learning piano much more seriously and understands that it is a skill to work on rather than simply a game. What we appreciate most about Darina's teaching approach is her patience and her ability to guide each child according to their individual personality and needs. We would definitely recommend Helicon Music Academy to other families because of the caring and thoughtful approach to teaching."
"I have had a wonderful experience taking piano lessons with Darina. I played piano for five years as a child but eventually stopped as I entered my teenage years. As an adult, I found myself wanting to return to music and rekindle the interest I had as a child. Since beginning lessons with Darina six months ago, I've been amazed by how quickly I've regained my skills, and, most importantly, how much fun I'm having learning again. Darina is a fantastic teacher who combines a keen attention to technique and skill with a genuine appreciation for musicality and expression. I would wholeheartedly recommend Darina to anyone, child or adult, looking to learn piano or rediscover their love of playing."
"Julie has had a wonderful experience learning piano with Darina. She genuinely looks forward to her lessons and has developed a real enjoyment of playing the piano. The biggest change has been Julie's motivation. She is now much more willing to practice on her own and even wanted to continue practicing during our month-long trip to China. Piano has gradually become something she enjoys rather than something we need to remind her to do. We really appreciate how Darina adapts her teaching to Julie's personality and learning style and makes the lessons fun and engaging. At the same time, she puts a strong emphasis on fundamentals and building good habits, which we believe will give Julie a strong foundation as she progresses to more advanced music. I would absolutely recommend Helicon Music Academy. Darina combines warmth and encouragement with thoughtful, high-quality instruction. Most importantly, she has helped Julie develop both a strong foundation and a genuine love for playing the piano."
Lessons, recitals, and quiet moments of practice — inside the studio at 643 W 31st Street, Bridgeport.
Not seeing your question? Send us a note — we typically reply within a business day.
Children can begin piano as young as four through our Suzuki program. By learning through listening, imitation, and repetition, young students develop musical skills naturally while building confidence and a strong foundation.
Every student holds a recurring weekly slot with their teacher for the duration of the semester — same day, same time. This consistency is one of the strongest predictors of a student's progress.
Make-up lessons are offered only when a student is absent due to illness. One make-up lesson is available per semester, provided the teacher is notified before the scheduled lesson.
Make-up lessons are subject to the teacher's availability and must be scheduled within the semester. Missed make-up lessons cannot be rescheduled or carried forward.
Absences due to vacations, personal commitments, appointments, or other scheduling conflicts are not eligible for a make-up lesson.
If the teacher must cancel a lesson, the lesson will be rescheduled.
Online lessons are available for students who need greater flexibility due to distance, travel, or scheduling. While in-person lessons are preferred for beginners, online instruction can be an effective option for students who are already comfortable at the piano.
Our founder personally speaks with every new family — about the student's age, temperament, prior experience, and musical goals — and pairs each one with the teacher we believe will suit them best. If the fit isn't right, we'll happily re-match.
Absolutely. Performance is an important part of a student's musical development. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to share their progress, with an annual recital held at a Steinway showroom. These experiences help students develop confidence, focus, preparation, and expressive musicianship while celebrating their growth.
Yes. Helicon Music Academy offers a 10% sibling discount for families enrolling multiple students. We also offer a referral reward: when a referred student enrolls, the referring student receives one complimentary lesson as our thank-you.
Whether you have a question about our programs, want to learn more about our faculty, or are ready to begin — we'd love to hear from you. Tell us a little about yourself and we'll be in touch within one business day.
Occasional dispatches — recital notices, new faculty introductions, and quiet notes from the studio. One unsubscribe click, no spam, ever.
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